NCC gets state assurance on land for academy

RANCHI: The process of setting up of an NCC academy in the state, which has been pending for two years, saw some momentum when Governor Syed Ahmed and Chief Secretary R S Sharma assured the state unit of the cadets on land allocation.
The state government's lack of incentives and reluctance in allocating land are deterring setting up of the academy and four battalion training camps in the state.
The four battalions in the state were to be trained in Dumka, Koderma, Gumla and Hazaribag in 2011. Major Gen Rajpal Singh, who is the additional director-general of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Bihar and Jharkhand, said the Centre threatened to withdraw army personnel who were deployed in Jharkhand to train the cadets if land was not acquired by June 30.
"We require at least 5 acres for each battalion for the construction of training camp, firing range, offices and accommodation for the cadets a well as officers," said Singh.
However, the governor assured them that land would be identified before the Centre's deadlihne.
To raise the battalion, Jharkhand has got around 70% of the army staff from the Centre which comprises officers and jawans. In absence of land and civil staff, the participation of youth in NCC is on the decline.
"Several other facilities are needed here. We expect the state to provide better honorarium to our associates and NCC officers, who dedicate a lot of time from their regular jobs. The state should also increase allocation for incentives to cadets as other states do," Singh added.
At present, there are 9,000 cadets, both boys and girls, in the state but due to lack of infrastructure and incentives given to the cadets as given in other states students are no more willing to join NCC camps in the state. That apart, UGC has recognized 30 institutions across the country for giving preference to NCC cadets in admissions, of which, Ranchi University and Jamshedpur Women's College are the two prominent colleges which will reserve 5% seats for NCC cadets.
"NCC is one of the biggest organizations for the youth in the world. Unity and discipline are the pillars of this group, which trains the youth and gives them opportunity to participate in national and international events. Students getting "C" certificates after successful NCC training are given preference in getting jobs in the armed forces. Participation of youth in the NCC camps should be encouraged by the government keeping in mind the involvement of youth in the Naxalite movement in the state," said Singh.